About

Cowboy Zombies is an independent feature film from an original script by famed cartoonist Gahan Wilson and Producer Paul Winters.

Set in 1873 in the Arizona Territory, it is the story of survival in a world "gone mad" for a disparate group of people that includes a Sheriff and his Deputy, a Buffalo Soldier, a Marshall,
a couple of Saloon Girls, a prisoner, a Mexican Outlaw, an Apache Chief, and a whole bunch of
Apache Indians.

Production and Budget

$75,000 isn't much to start a feature film, but it will pay for the broad strokes and many of the big ticket items we need like equipment rentals, locations, food, labor costs, lumber for sets, some fees for zombie extras, and costumes. The rest we are getting donated in either free services or reduced rental contracts.

We, as filmmakers love Cowboy Zombies so much that we are all working for no salary on the production. In fact, some of us are actually kicking in some of our own funds to round things out when needed. We are also calling in favors and getting our talented friends to also come work for gratis or at a very reduced rate.

So, what we have here is a commando style production team of versatile film professionals working on a stellar script with the best possible cinematic equipment at terrific locations with an extremely talented cast.

From it's inception, the script was designed with the budget in mind. Since we are using one location (the Western town) as our main exterior set, we have very few company moves. That saves time and money and gives us a wonderful, unique, large, western town to play in. The interior sets will be constructed in a warehouse at another location where we can work more quickly with controlled lights and moveable walls.

Town Location Photo

There are some other spectacular exterior locations in the mountains and the deserts that will be used for locales in the scenes that don't take place in town.

Just a few years ago, a not so heavily funded Indie Film would have cost much more than we will be spending, but, what with the advances in digital cameras and technology we are able to make a quality film at a fraction of the cost.

Come join us!

The Script

We are not going to give anything away, but you can bet on one thing...the script is scary. Extremely Scary! If you are a zombie film fan, you will be a very happy camper when you sit back to watch the completed Cowboy Zombies.

An intricately woven tale by Paul Winters and "The Master of the Macabre", Gahan Wilson, Cowboy Zombies is a story that could have happened...in The Old West...on the day the dead came to life.

The Apache

The Apache People are respectfully portrayed in Cowboy Zombies. One of the main characters is an old and venerated Apache Chief. During all scenes with the Apache People, the Apache language is spoken with English sub titles.

The Team

What a great team we have on Cowboy Zombies...

Cartoonist Gahan Wilson

Co-Writer and Production Designer

Cartoonist Gahan Wilson has been published in PLAYBOY, THE NEW YORKER, and The National Lampoon. He is a national treasure and a living legend!

NUTS from The National Lampoon

Gahan Wilson's storyboard for the film DINER

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Director Joe Seely

Director

Joe Seely is an actor/director and a world renowned puppet and mask maker. Among many other roles, he played Mark Gray in A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child.

Masks and Puppets by Joe Seely

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Producer Sam Bearpaw

Co-Producer

In addition to being a producer, Sam Bearpaw is an actor with many credits and a Northern Traditional Dancer.

He is Warm Springs and White Mountain Apache.

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Producer and Co-Writer Paul Winters

Co-Writer and Co-Producer

Paul Winters is a filmmaker who has had production/ development deals with all of the major Hollywood studios. He has also produced and directed a number of Indie feature films.

Casting

The casting process for any film is an exciting time. We will be doing all of our casting during the 30 days that our campaign is up on Kickstarter. That way, you, our supporters, can see our progress. We will be uploading casting photos, some videos, and finally, our casting choices for each role. It should be fun!

We Need Your Help!

Please join us in our quest to make Cowboy Zombies a rocking zombie film! We need you to be a part of Cowboy Zombies! Please donate or pledge!

We have lots of very cool rewards in the rewards section.

Please...Tell your friends about Cowboy Zombies!

Rewards! Rewards! Rewards!

Check out the amazing rewards on the right side of the page for all of you generous donors who join the Cowboy Zombies Team. We have many different selections.

Here is just one of them...

A unique Zombie Drawing by Gahan Wilson, just for you. Hand drawn and personalized by Gahan Wilson. Each drawing will be a different Zombie! Only 10 of these available.

Your own unique, personalized original Gahan Wilson drawing

Why Kickstarter?

We love Kickstarter! Kickstarter allows us to create this project outside the Hollywood studios, producing the kind of movie we want to make. We have a vision and with your generosity it will become a reality. The age of crowd financing is upon us and we love it!

What happens if we don't reach our goal?

Every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before its
deadline. If we don't raise the dollars and reach our goal, we don't
get anything. Donors pledge the amounts, but don't actually pay
until the goal is reached and the funding deadline has passed.
This film will only be made possible with your help, every amount big
or small counts! You can help by donating, and by spreading
the word to others. Please share the link to this page,
email it to friends, family, and fellow zombie fans, post it on your
Facebook page.

Thank you for looking at our Cowboy Zombies Film page! Let's do this!

Support

Select this reward

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Thank you!! A thank you on Facebook, the official CowboyZombiesFilm web site and Twitter. Each and every dollar brings us closer to our goal. Everyone who donates to this project will also be listed in the film credits!~!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Cowboy Zombies Movie Screening Preview and Party Package: 2 tickets for you and a guest to attend the Cowboy Zombies Movie Premiere in Phoenix and After Party with the cast and crew!! Transportation and lodging not included. Plus all of the above.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

How to Kill a Zombie Package:
Hand Pulled Serigraph, edition of 100, signed and numbered by Gahan Wilson. The print is from an original drawing by Gahan Wilson created for the film! This is a collector's item! Plus the Cowboy Zombies Movie Screening Preview and Party Package. Transportation and lodging not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

Shoot Them in the Head:
A unique Zombie Drawing by Gahan Wilson, just for you. Hand drawn and personalized by Gahan Wilson. Each drawing will be a different Zombie! Only 10 of these available. Plus the Cowboy Zombies Movie Screening Preview and Party Package. Transportation and lodging not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

Hang with us on the set with the Apocalypse Package:
Be a Zombie Extra in the movie, your name in lights and your flesh rotting. Get the action up close! Be part of the zombie drama! Get addicted to everything ZOMBIE! We're filming in AZ in late fall 2012/ early winter 2013. All the film action plus The Cowboy Zombies Movie Screening Preview and Party Package.
Transportation and lodging are not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $4,000 or more
About $4,000

What's for lunch? Cannibal Corpses Package:
Lunch with the Filmmakers before or after film production. Includes everything in the Apocalypse and How to Kill a Zombie Packages. Transportation and lodging are not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

Living Dead Package:
One of a kind Zombie Mask created by Director, Mask Maker, and Special Effects Wizard Joe Seely! These masks are the originals used in the filming of Cowboy Zombies. Really cool stuff!
Plus spend a day on the set, mingling with cast and crew. This includes How to Kill a Zombie and Apocalypse Packages. Transportation and lodging not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $7,500 or more
About $7,500

Survival Package:
Speaking Role in Cowboy Zombies! Join us on the set for some real fun! Nothing can prepare you for the horror you'll feel when face to face with gruesome snarling zombies. They say it's only a movie

will you survive? Plus The How to Kill a Zombie Package and The Cowboy Zombies Movie Screening Package.
Transportation and lodging not included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

The Undead Package:
Executive Producer Credit, your name in the film credits. Plus 2 Reserved Seats for the Cowboy Zombies Movie Premiere and After Party, Awesome Accommodations and Transportation for yourself and guest to the Cowboy Zombies Movie Premiere and After Party. Based on one night stay and travel not included. Plus any or all of the above rewards.